Deliberations 2016 (6) #education

Amazing how the field of education has evolved!!

 

Yet statistics inform that more than 785 million adults worldwide cannot read at a functional level. This translates to 1 in 5 persons with only basic reading skills. They cannot read the instructions about how to take a medication or how much of it to take, and they do not know what to do if they take too much of the medication. They cannot read (or sign for) their child’s report card. (This is evident in our schools). They cannot fill out applications for a job, a loan, or for a travel document. These persons are classified as “illiterate” or “uneducated”.

But here’s the question. If these persons were taught to read would they now be literate? Of course. But do we call them educated? And can everything be taught? Hmmmmm……

Yes, education opens minds to vast amounts of knowledge, but according to our beliefs, true education means more than pursuing a certain course of study. We believe that persons should learn, but we also believe in redeeming them for Christ. Indeed there is One who stands higher than any human teacher. In Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3.

Our thoughts, our intellect should reflect Him. As the earth reflects the sun, our aim is to reflect the rays of the Son of Righteousness.  This is what true education is all about – not just pursuing that high school diploma, or Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree – but gaining that which is imparted by Him; out of whose mouth “comes knowledge and understanding”, (Proverbs 2.6).

25/03/06

In response to a comment on FB I wrote this:

I asked the question in my post whether everything can be taught. What do you think? I think it is difficult to teach everything, and as education evolves teachers are no longer founts of knowledge, but facilitators of learning. And it is certainly difficult to TEST everything. I like this picture that sums up some very important human qualities that are difficult to teach/test:

Deliberations 2016 (5b): Who are we? (A follow-up to my previous post on brands)

https://wwwdventist.org/en/information/identity/logo/  

Our logo/brand is a graphic representation of who we are as Seventh day Adventists. It reflects our deep and abiding belief in Jesus Christ as the center of our lives and faith, and reiterates the core values of our Church. It reassures us about our “one-ness” as a people even though we may be separated geographically. Wherever we are, in whatever setting, the sight of the logo reminds us of our brotherhood with persons of like beliefs.

The logo links 3 symbolic items – a bible, a cross, and a flame.

The Bible forms the base of the design and represents the biblical foundation of our faith.  It highlights our full acceptance of God’s Word. The Bible is open – reminding us that its message should be read, assimilated, and put into practice.

A cross is positioned in the center of the design to emphasize Christ's unselfish sacrifice for our sins. The cross reminds us that Jesus died, but rose again. We believe He is in heaven interceding for us, and is coming back soon to take us to live with him in the earth made new. This is the central theme of our faith.

Three lines encircling an implied globe shape a flame. The flame is symbolic of the Holy Spirit—who remains with us as our Comforter. The lines represent the 3 angels of Revelation 14 circling the earth. By reaching upward, they symbolize Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven, and remind us of our commission to take the gospel to the entire world.

A simple design, but powerful in reminding us of our beliefs and values and our mandate to evangelize the world so Jesus can return.

I really like the sentiments expressed in the words of the song “We believe”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmg2NZAIn3Q

Deliberations 2016 (5): #Brands

Why do companies brand their products? Briefly, a brand is a name, design or symbol, (often legally registered), that is used to advertise a product and give it a competitive marketing edge. Initially livestock branding was used to distinguish one person’s cattle from another by burning a distinctive symbol into the animal’s skin.  

Some brands draw us with just a picture/image; others include catchy phrases that stay with us. An example is McDonalds golden arches and “i’m loving it” phrase. (Even babies have been shown to recognize this brand!) Then there is Nike’s Swoosh and “Just do it”, and the Apple trademark and advice to “Think different”. (I’m told that learning to use an Apple computer is indeed a different experience!)

Some brand designs are so good that they capture attention immediately and need no further design changes; others evolve with time, e.g. Microsoft’s Windows logo, (which is still a work in progress).

But let’s not overlook biblical symbols. And the good thing is that they are constant and forever—truly not one jot can be changed. For example the cross forever reminds us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for our sins. A dove draws us back to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit—bestowed first on His Son at His baptism, and then sent to us as our Comforter/Advocate. And a rainbow, despite human attempts to corrupt its meaning, reassures us that the earth will never again be destroyed by flood.

What brand are we displaying to others? Has Christ’s nature been symbolically burned into us so that our testimony—what we do and say—truly reflects Him? Is our brand a winning one that draws others to Jesus, or are we advertising an unattractive product that, despite being steeped in truth, loses out to other brands that are portraying falsehoods? 

Just wondering……

03/07/2016 
Sobering comments (on FB) about being branded with Christ's righteousness, and selecting the "brand" we want to wear in the latter days - the mark of the beast or the seal of God.